Sweetwater Music Hall presents live in Mill Valley
Flamin’ Groovies and Hot Laundry -LIVE
For the first time at Sweetwater Music Hall
The Flamin’ Groovies story goes all the way back to 1965 when the band began as the Chosen Few in their hometown of San Francisco, California. After a name change and a self-released 10 inch album called Sneakers, which sold amazingly well, the band caught the attention of Columbia who signed them up and sent them into the studio with a big budget to record their first real album, Supersnazz, on the Epic label. Their next two albums were on Kama Sutra (home of their heroes, The Lovin’ Spoonful): Flamingo and the now-revered classic Teenage Head.
Lead singer Roy Loney left the band right after that and lead guitarist Cyril Jordan moved the group to England, with Chris Wilson (formerly of Loose Gravel) taking over as front man. They continued their style of straight ahead guitar driven rock n’ roll but this time with a more '60s rather than '50s influence. A few singles on United Artists, recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales with Dave Edmunds producing, followed in the early ’70s. In ’76 they signed to Sire Records, who released three true gems of power pop: Shake Some Action, Flamin’ Groovies Now and Jumpin’ In The Night. Another lineup change ensued in the next decade with Wilson moving to England and joining the Barracudas. The Groovies continued on thru the '80s and into the early ’90s, touring Australia and Europe, putting out a fine but overlooked album called Rock Juice and then finally calling it quits. Jordan formed a new band called Magic Christian while Wilson released solo albums in Europe.
In 2013, Jordan, Wilson, and original founding member and bass player George Alexander, have reunited in for the first time since 1981. They’re joined by drummer Victor Penalosa, a fine musician in his own right who faithfully recreates the style heard on the classic recordings while at the same time adding his own flavor. The foursome has gone back into the studio to finish up long lost recordings as well as cutting brand new material. They recently toured Japan and Australia, returning home to San Francisco to do a show that sold out in less than 24 hours. Fans have been delighted with what is being called “a dream set list”, including original songs the band has never performed before onstage. Newcomers are asking, “Why haven’t I ever heard of this group?” It’s hard to say just why the group hasn’t gotten the attention they deserve (at least in the USA) but they’re back to give everyone another chance at hearing and seeing just why those in the know consider them one of the greatest rock n’ roll bands ever.
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San Francisco rock ‘n’ roll outfit HOT LAUNDRY are one of those feelgood bands that will deliver a wholesome canoodle of adorable good-time boogie to your day.
The wonderful lead singer Janette Lopez is confidently backed by Ileath Bridges & Kate Juliana and the trio are ably supported by Grady Hord on guitar & backing vox.
They bring a sound that’s reminiscent of the jam-packed energy of the Hives though speckled with the sophisticated dash, style & elegance of the B-52’s (at their most velvet gloved) but with the unashamed foxy attitude of The Crystals.
It’s a slice of classic rock ‘n’ roll delivered with supercilious energy by the (snidey voiced) — but gorgeously undaunted — Lopez and her singers. The song bursts with the sort of glam-rock riffing you feared might be dead since 1974 and the harmonized vivacity you thought might have all-but disappeared when the Ronettes finally stopped hearing the music…
In other words, this is a properly infectious shindig! by Neil Mach